~ a New Yorker's American History blog

“One tank. 400 years of history.”

There are certain aspects of heritage tourism that make me queasy. Re-enacting, excuse me, living history, and the kitsch of such places as Colonial Williamsburg are two that come to mind off the top of my head. When done well, however, heritage tourism can be a boon to educators, families, and local communities who have much to gain socially and economically from the exploitation (in the good sense) of historic places. No one is doing this better than the people who have put together the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, which the Hayfoot and I have now been traveling for years. Jonathan Jarvis and Cate Magennis Wyatt explain.